Israeli Holidays

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Israeli Holidays

HaTikvah

Question: What is Israel's National Anthem?

Answer: Israel's National Anthem is called "HaTikvah", which means "The Hope" in Hebrew. It speaks of the hope of the Jewish people for a land of their own where they can know freedom, security and peace.

The words of HaTikvah were written by Naphtali Herz Imber, an English poet originally from Bohemia. The melody was written by Samuel Cohen, an immigrant from Moldavia, and was based on a musical theme found in Bedrich Smetana’s "Moldau."

Translated Words
As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart,
With eyes turned toward the East, looking toward Zion,
Then our hope - the two-thousand-year-old hope - will not be lost:
To be a free people in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Transliterated Words
Kol ode balevav P'nimah
Nefesh Yehudi homiyah
Ulfa'atey mizrach kadimah
Ayin l'tzion tzofiyah.
Ode lo avdah tikvatenu
Hatikvah bat shnot alpayim:
L'hiyot am chofshi b'artzenu
Eretz Tzion v'Yerushalayim.

Favorite Online Versions of HaTikvah

Yom HaAtzmaut

Israel's Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut) begins the minute Israel's Memorial Day ends, and the switch from sorrow to joy is quite sudden and dramatic. Israel's Independence Day is celebrated each year on 5 Iyar, which corresponds to May 14, 1948, the day that the State of Israel was proclaimed. Days before the celebration, Israeli flags begin to wave from almost every house and car. On the eve of Israel Independence Day, there are parties, singing and dancing on the streets, and fireworks. On Independence Day, everyone packs their picnic baskets with charcoal, lots of meat, Israeli salad, and bamba. Then they head out in search of the perfect picnic spot. The whole country is dotted with families outdoors enjoying "The Land."

Yom HaZikaron

Israel's Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron), celebrated the day before Israel's Independence Day, is devoted to the memory of those who have given their lives so the State of Israel can exist today. Ceremonies are held throughout the country at schools, cemeteries, and memorial sites. A one-minute siren is blown on the eve of Memorial Day and a two-minute siren is blown on the morning of Memorial Day. During the siren, the whole country comes to a standstill - people stop working, children stop playing, and even drivers stop driving. Everyone stands at attention in silence as the siren wails in memory of the fallen. It is a very emotional and difficult day in Israel as this small country remembers the many young soldiers who have given their lives so the Jewish State could exist.